Thank you

First, I want to thank Monica Hesse for writing this story and her commitment to get it right. We spoke as recently as yesterday trying to ensure that the details were correct. And, I want to thank the Post for running the story and Steve Luxenburg, the reporter I met on the plane, for getting it all started to begin with. I want to thank everyone who joined, commented, forwarded, Face-booked (?) or otherwise got in touch with me about the story. It is gratifying to know that people are looking and care enough to get in touch. I have heard from folks in Afghanistan, Korea, other writers and photographers, and also, people who have told me they are learning things they never knew! As a retired educator, you cannot imaging how much THAT means to me.

The only corrections to the story are that I returned from 'Nam in April of 1968, not long after the well documented Tet Offensive and the Mississippi memorial is in Ocean Springs, a few miles east of Biloxi.

Note to SJM3091 on the Post site, and anyone who posted a response on my site but did not leave an address, email me at 50statememorials@gmail.com, I would love to talk to you.

For anyone who may have missed it, you can find the Post online version of the story here;

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/30/AR2010053003463.html

The text of the online version is identical to the print version, but they have included additional photos.

On the Post site there is also a place to leave and/or read responses to the article. Some are supportive, others, not so much. I am amazed at the need to continue fighting the war. I had hoped that we were beyond that, by now. My goal was to help some vets heal and others, who are not vets, understand a little better the impact of the war and its aftermath on its veterans.

Washington Post article

Another exciting thing has happened!

Returning from Michigan recently, I found myself sitting with a couple returning to Washington, too. We struck up a conversation which covered a number of topics including my work on this project. It turned out that he is an editor with the Washington Post and he was very interested in my journey. He pitched the story at the Post the next day and they agreed. They arranged for a story to be done on the efforts I am making to visit and write about these memorials. In addition, they asked to use some of my photos in the story. The graphics department told me they may use some in the print edition and others in the online edition, so, you may want to check out both.

A reporter, Monica Hesse, accompanied me, and my buddy Steve, to Pittsburgh, the first leg of my most recent trip. We met up with a photographer there, Randy Jarosz, who took many shots during our time in the city, so his pics will be featured, too.

The story will appear in the Post over the Memorial Day weekend. Ms Hesse said they are aiming for Memorial Day, itself, but that it was possible that it could appear on the Saturday before the holiday.

So, if you would like to check it out, you can get the Post or check it out on line at;

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/30/AR2010053003463.html

As usual, I would love to hear what you think.